Sadd

Subagent-Driven Development (sadd)

Execute an implementation plan by dispatching fresh subagents per task, with two-stage review after each: spec compliance first, then code quality.

Core principle: Fresh subagent per task + spec review + quality review = high-quality, fast iteration with no context pollution between tasks.

When to Use

Use sadd when:

• An implementation plan with mostly-independent tasks exists
• Work should happen in the current session (not handed off)
• Tasks can be reviewed for spec compliance and code quality independently

For parallel sessions instead, use superpowers:executing-plans.

The Process

Setup

1. Read the plan once; extract all tasks with full text and context.
2. Create a TodoWrite entry per task.
3. Set up a git worktree if not already on a feature branch (superpowers:using-git-worktrees).

Per Task Loop

For each task, in sequence:

1. Dispatch implementer subagent using references/implementer-prompt.md.
   • Provide full task text (do not make subagent read the plan file).
   • Provide scene-setting context: where this fits, dependencies, architecture.
2. Handle implementer status:
   • DONE → proceed to spec review.
   • DONE_WITH_CONCERNS → read concerns; if correctness risk, address first; else proceed.
   • NEEDS_CONTEXT → provide missing info and re-dispatch.
   • BLOCKED → diagnose: add context, upgrade model, or break task down. Escalate to user only if none of those unblock.
3. Dispatch spec compliance reviewer using references/spec-reviewer-prompt.md.
   • ✅ compliant → proceed to quality review.
   • ❌ issues found → dispatch implementer (same subagent type) to fix; re-review until ✅.
4. Dispatch code quality reviewer using references/code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md.
   • ✅ approved → mark task complete in TodoWrite.
   • ❌ issues → dispatch implementer to fix; re-review until ✅.
5. Repeat for next task. Never dispatch two implementers in parallel — they conflict.

Wrap-Up

After all tasks pass both reviews:

1. Dispatch a final code reviewer over the entire implementation (all commits).
2. Run superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch.

Model Selection

Prompt Templates

Full prompt templates live in references/:

• references/implementer-prompt.md — dispatch template for implementer subagent
• references/spec-reviewer-prompt.md — dispatch template for spec compliance reviewer
• references/code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md — dispatch template for code quality reviewer

Red Flags

Never:

• Start implementation on main/master without user consent.
• Skip either review stage (spec compliance AND code quality both required).
• Proceed past a review that found issues without fixing them.
• Dispatch multiple implementers in parallel.
• Pass plan file path to subagent — paste full task text instead.
• Accept "close enough" on spec compliance.
• Skip re-review after a fix.

Always:

• Answer implementer questions before allowing them to proceed.
• Verify implementer committed before dispatching reviewer.
• Provide BASE_SHA and HEAD_SHA to the code quality reviewer.